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in-depth report

OUR KIDS Report:
Report on The Bishop Strachan School

TOPICS

Grades JK — 12 — Toronto, ON (Map)

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School Leadership

Bishop Strachan School’s leadership is characterized by a global perspective, a collaborative approach, and commitment to empowering girls through innovative, data-driven initiatives. Families describe the leadership team as open, approachable, and inclusive, fostering diverse backgrounds and supporting student growth. The school's enduring emphasis on female leadership, academic excellence, and community engagement helps students develop transformative leadership skills.

Page Contents

Insider community voices
Facts and analysis
- Message from the school leadership
- Our interview with the school leader
Qualitative insights

Insider community voices

Hear directly from The Bishop Strachan School community as they share insights into the School Leadership.

SONA SHAH, Parent, The Bishop Strachan School - text snippet underneath video thumbnail - school-leadership

SONA SHAH

Describes experiences with teachers and administration.

Facts and analysis

MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP

We invited Meagan Enticknap, Deputy Head at The Bishop Strachan School, to share a message.

The overview highlights the vision, values, and guiding principles that shape leadership and the student experience at The Bishop Strachan School.

The Bishop Strachan School, Meagan Enticknap, Deputy Head

Meagan Enticknap, Deputy Head

Meagan Enticknap, who will succeed Dr. Angela Terpstra as Head of School in July 2026, brings a global perspective and a collaborative approach to leadership. Since joining BSS as Deputy Head, she has built strong relationships across the community and introduced innovative, data-driven initiatives to strengthen student learning. She has worked to expand mentorship, leadership training, and platforms for student voice, reflecting her commitment to empowering girls both inside and outside the classroom. Drawing on experience at schools around the world, including the United Nations International School in Hanoi, Meagan combines strategic vision with deep expertise in teaching and learning. Her leadership is rooted in inclusivity, global-mindedness, and a belief in preparing students to thrive in a complex, interconnected world.

INTERVIEW WITH THE LEADERSHIP

We interviewed Meagan Enticknap, at The Bishop Strachan School.

In conversation with school leadership, the discussion centred on the school’s mission, educational approach, and the vision shaping key decisions.

Meagan, the Deputy Head at Bishop Strachan School, shared her perspective on BSS’s dedicated faculty, holistic student support, innovative programs, female leadership focus, strong community relationships, and commitment to tradition, academic excellence, and student growth.

Video Contents

0:59 - Please describe your professional journey leading up to your current role at BSS
3:12 - What have been some of the major influences on you and how you approach your work?
6:32 - What resonates most strongly with you about the history and mission of BSS?
Show Full Video Contents
8:28 - How would you describe the culture of BSS?
9:51 - What strategies does the school rely on to equip students to thrive both academically and personally?
12:04 - Have there been any major changes in recent years at BSS?
17:59 - What are the families like at BSS? And how does your school approach the partnership with the parents?
20:05 - How do you approach conflicts at the school?
22:25 - What advice would you offer to parents who are searching for a school?
25:13 - Any final thoughts?

Highlights from the interview
- I think it’s easy to talk about Bishop Strachan School (BSS) because of the amazing work happening here. We have incredible staff and faculty who are deeply committed to supporting students in achieving their potential and beyond.
  
  I think it’s easy to talk about Bishop Strachan School (BSS) because of the amazing work happening here. We have incredible staff and faculty who are deeply committed to supporting students in achieving their potential and beyond.
- BSS is the second all-girls’ school I’ve worked at, and experiencing single-gender education firsthand highlighted the many benefits it provides. It deepened my understanding of how to best meet the learning needs of girls and prepare them to thrive beyond school.
- Students themselves have been a tremendous source of inspiration. Seeing how their lives are shaped by the work we do at schools and watching alumni go on to make an impact reminds me daily why this work matters.
- What I value about BSS is its history and its forward-looking vision... Female leadership has always been central to its mission, and today it remains a defining focus, helping young women develop the skills, confidence, and vision to be transformative leaders in their communities.
- Our “circle of care” ensures that students are supported both academically and personally, through university counselling, learning services, well-being counsellors, and a full wellness team.
- BSS is one of the only schools in Ontario to offer financial aid beginning in Grade 6. This support goes beyond tuition to ensure students can fully participate in the life of the school, whether through trips, uniforms, or extracurriculars. Broadening access is a cornerstone of our strategic plan.
- Our parents are true partners. We encourage them to be engaged in the life of the school, offering flexible opportunities for involvement through volunteerism, the parent association, and grade reps. This collaboration strengthens the student experience for everyone.
- At the heart of our community are strong relationships: student to student, student to teacher, faculty to leadership, and family to school. We ground all communication and conflict resolution in openness, fairness, and respect, always keeping the focus on what is best for students.
- For parents searching for the right school, I recommend investing time in research, organizing your findings, and visiting in person.
- BSS offers an extraordinary combination of tradition, innovation, academic excellence, holistic support, and leadership development. It’s a place where students are encouraged to explore, grow, and discover who they can become.
- It’s truly an honour to share the incredible things we are doing at Bishop Strachan School.

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

School leaders model and sustain a culture of openness and approachability.

Accounts from students and parents emphasize the accessibility of BSS's leadership, where an open-door policy and regular interactions foster warmth and support within the school community.

The first thing I noticed about BSS was the open door policy that the principal had. This was significant to me, especially coming from a culture with more hierarchy. The principal would greet everyone with a smile on Monday mornings, along with the vice principal, who left a lasting impression. This warmth carried through other facets of the BSS experience. The daily interactions with teachers, some of whom would have sidebar conversations outside of class, were very impactful. These conversations often provided me with the encouragement and guidance I needed.

—Tiffany Lee, alum (see full discussion)

The school has been very warm and welcoming from the beginning. We were able to come in for kindergarten. This was pre-COVID, so we were able to come in and tour the school. My daughter was able to have a half test day, spending half a day with her peers to get a sense of the school. We met with the principal and vice-principal and got a good feel for the school through the tour.

—SONA SHAH, parent (see full interview)

The teachers and administration at The Bishop Strachan School have been nothing short of amazing; I really feel like that is the heart of the school. Starting from the admission process, which was very smooth, I felt comfortable and like it was a fit for me. The teachers are very approachable, and everyone knows my daughter by name. It’s a casual and relaxed environment that’s also very focused on student growth, creating a great balance.

—Candice Braun, parent (beginning in Gr. 11) (see full interview)

The leadership at BSS was fantastic during my time at school. Whenever I walked through the halls and encountered members of the leadership team, I always received a warm smile and a friendly hello. They would genuinely ask my classmates and me how we were doing and truly cared about our response, showing a deep level of empathy. If there was ever an issue or concern, they were approachable and open to discussions. They fostered a kind, supportive, and caring environment that positively impacted all aspects of the school community.

—Allison D., alum (2006-2019), Fashion Designer (see full review)

They cultivate an inclusive environment that supports diverse backgrounds.

Observations from the BSS community highlight the school's embrace of change and inclusive initiatives, such as expanding financial aid to ensure students from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed and supported.

When I was Head Prefect, my biggest goal was to focus on students like me who were receiving financial aid — to not only represent them but to make sure they feel like they belong. Because they DO! The school has done a good job by continuously welcoming them, and by making the financial aid pool even larger each year, so that more and more students can attend the school without worrying about the financial barriers. That was something I was working on as Head Prefect, and I got a lot of support from the school, which was really vital. So not only was it a students’ initiative, but we had all this support from faculty.

—Stephanie, alum (see full discussion)

I’m lucky to be both an alum and a current staff member, which has given me a unique perspective on the school’s leadership. Our Junior School staff is incredible, and the faculty have diverse backgrounds. Some leaders come from the Toronto District School Board, bringing a broad perspective beyond independent schools.

—Haley Dinel, alum, Educator (see full interview)

They focus on providing growth opportunities for students from a young age.

Parents and students describe how leadership roles are woven into the BSS curriculum early on, with older students mentoring younger peers and gaining confidence through varied responsibilities.

Whatever you want to do, the faculty members and the heads of the school and the leadership there will be super supportive. So while I was at the Bishop Toronto School, I started a lego robotics team to help the inner-city schools in Toronto. They saw that I was really interested in robotics, so I actually started the robotics team, and then we were able to compete, and we actually made it to the international competition in Atlanta. I think definitely having had those opportunities helped to strengthen my application for later on when I studied biomedical engineering at Columbia. It also helped me gain the skills to really thrive there, and it helped set me up for success later on in my career.

—Wendy Sun, alum (see full interview)

The school set a cycle of leadership that grows within the school, and that experience has stayed with me 10 years down the line. A lot of the skills I use today, even at my current job as a federal government employee, started while I was at BSS. I participated in debating club and public speaking competitions, where the school gave me significant support, both in coaching and financial resources. Through that experience, I gained confidence and learned to be comfortable speaking in front of others. ... The school ended up helping me in ways that allowed me to start giving back by the end of my time at BSS, which I think is really important.

—Tiffany Lee, alum (see full discussion)

What they really like about the school is, again, the warm, nurturing environment. As you progress through junior school, you also get numerous leadership opportunities. I have my youngest daughter in Grade 2 now, and my eldest in Grade 6. In Grade 6, they get to do various activities with the younger girls. They mentor, buddy, teach, and really take on a range of leadership roles for the junior school. My eldest has even spoken to potential new parents about her experience, which could be quite nerve-wracking for an 11-year-old, but it’s been a great journey for her.

—SONA SHAH, parent (see full interview)

The school encourages students to pursue all of their passions, fostering curiosity and a growth mindset. Students are invited to try new things, build grit, and develop leadership skills. Female leadership, in particular, is emphasized, which has been a longstanding focus at BSS.

—Haley Dinel, alum, Educator (see full interview)

OUR KIDS REPORT: The Bishop Strachan School

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